Lenovo is bending over backward to deliver convertible laptops in time for the upcoming Windows 8 launch. At this year's CES, Lenovo gave us the first peek of the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga, the first of many touch-enabled convertible ultrabooks set to come to market this month. Well, the Oct. 26 Windows 8 launch is fast approaching, and Lenovo has announced that there are not one, but two Yoga models on the way, as well as a business-centered convertible ultrabook, the IdeaPad Edge Twist.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13
The model we've glimpsed before is the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13, a convertible Windows 8 ultrabook that uses a "multi-mode" hinge to open up into a laptop, and then open further, with the screen moving 360 degrees to become a tablet-style device. The 13.6-inch screen offers 10 points of touch tracking on a 1,600-by-900 resolution IPS display.

The IdeaPad Yoga 13 will be available with either Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, paired with 8GB of RAM, and up to a 256GB solid-state drive. The laptop is equipped with USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, a 3-in-1 card reader, and a full-size HDMI output port. Measuring 17 millimeters thick and weighing a mere 3.6 pounds, it meets ultrabook specs, including seven-hour battery life.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 is available in Silver Grey or Clementine Orange, and is now available for pre-order. The IdeaPad Yoga 13 will be available starting at $1,099, and begins shipping on Oct. 26.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11
Previously unseen is the IdeaPad Yoga 11, the smaller sibling to the Yoga 13, which is equipped with an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, running Windows RT. The IdeaPad Yoga 11 is smaller, thinner, and lighter than the 13-inch ultrabook, with an 11-inch display, measuring 15.6 millimeters thick and weighing only 2.8 pounds. Though it is smaller in size, it also offers 13 hours of battery life.

The 11-inch touch display offers 5-point touch tracking, with 1,366-by-768 resolution. Joining the Tegra 3 processor are 2GB of memory and up to 64GB of storage space. The IdeaPad Yoga 11 also comes in Silver Grey and Clementine Orange, and will be available this December, starting at $799.

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge Twist
Finally, Lenovo also announced the ThinkPad Edge Twist, a convertible Windows 8 ultrabook for the business set. Unlike the Yoga laptops, the ThinkPad Edge Twist uses a single pivoting hinge that allows the laptop display to rotate around and close flat for use as a tablet. The ThinkPad Twist is designed for portability and business-class performance, outfitted with up to an Intel Core i7 processor and up to either a 500GB hard drive or 128GB solid-state drive (SSD) for storage. Preinstalled with Windows 8 Pro, the ThinkPad Twist offers several business-friendly features, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and optional 3G WWAN connectivity.

The ThinkPad Twist has a 12.5-inch touch-screen display, and it's bright and strong, with up to 350 nits illumination and a layer of tough Gorilla Glass protecting the display. When used as a laptop, the ThinkPad Twist has Lenovo's well-made scalloped keyboard, with a 720p HD webcam and noise-cancelling dual-microphone array for crystal clear communication. Lenovo includes Lenovo Solutions for Small Business and Lenovo Cloud Storage by SugarSync, and claims up to seven hours of battery life or as much as 30-day standby time. Slightly thicker and heavier than the Yoga 13, the ThinkPad Twist measures a mere 20 millimeters thick and weighs only 3.5 pounds.

With a starting price of $849, the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge Twist will be available starting Oct. 26.

Brian Westover is an Analyst for the Hardware Team, reviewing laptops, desktops, and storage devices.
As a child, Brian was frequently asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" His answer alternated between Superman and Batman. This was cute when he was five, but worrisome at seventeen. Naturally, he is now a journalist, writing about technology and gadgets.
Brian has been writing professionally since 2007, and his work has appeared in business newsletters, websites, textbooks, and magazines. He earned his degree in Communications from...
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